The Top Dog Podcast

Top Dog Podcast with Danielle Hanosh | Why the Future of Animal Welfare Starts with Education

What if the most powerful way to help animals isn't rescue — it's education? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Danielle Hanosh, Co-Founder and Executive Director of LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet). A former middle school teacher and founder of Blackberry Creek Farm Animal Sanctuary, Danielle is helping sanctuaries across North America inspire the next generation of compassionate leaders through hands-on education. In this conversation, we discuss: • Why education is critical to the future of animal welfare • How LEAP partners with sanctuaries to develop young leaders • Teaching ethics, advocacy, and environmental responsibility • The connection between compassion and leadership • Preparing students for careers in animal welfare and veterinary medicine • The emotional realities of sanctuary work Danielle shares how meaningful experiences with animals can shape empathy, responsibility, and action—and why investing in young people may be the most effective way to create lasting change for animals and our planet. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

Top Dog Podcast with Dara Worthington | Building a Lifesaving Culture That Lasts 50 Years

What does it take to transform a small animal shelter into a community lifesaving organization? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Dara Worthington, CEO of Friends of Strays Animal Shelter in St. Petersburg, Florida. Under Dara's leadership, the organization has grown from approximately 500 adoptions per year to more than 2,000 annually while expanding services, facilities, and community impact. In this conversation, we discuss: • Growing a nonprofit animal shelter through visionary leadership • Creating innovative shelter spaces for cats and dogs • Supporting pet retention through community programs • Building strong teams and positive workplace culture • Why mentorship matters in animal welfare leadership • Planning for the future while staying mission-focused Dara shares lessons from nearly a decade of leadership, the importance of finding the right people, and her vision for creating a lasting legacy that will continue serving animals and families for generations to come. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

Top Dog Podcast with Nicole Navarro | How One Rescue Fox Sparked a Movement

What happens when a passion for animals evolves into a mission that changes lives? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Nicole Navarro, Founder and Executive Director of Pawsitive Beginnings, a Florida-based sanctuary providing lifelong homes for foxes rescued from the fur trade and exotic pet trade. What began as a desire to save a single fox has grown into a unique organization helping both animals and people heal. In this conversation, we discuss: • The realities of the fur trade and exotic pet ownership • Building a fox sanctuary from the ground up • Rescuing animals deemed "unusable" by the fur industry • How foxes became part of trauma recovery programs • Creating safe spaces for healing and personal growth • Finding purpose through service and compassion Nicole shares how the stories of rescued foxes are now helping women in recovery and vulnerable youth discover resilience, boundaries, and hope. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

Top Dog Podcast with Kerri Burns | Why Animal Welfare Leaders Must Stop Working Alone

What happens when a police officer, disaster responder, and animal welfare executive all become the same person? In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Kerri Burns, CEO of Santa Barbara Humane. With nearly three decades in animal welfare, Kerri shares how experiences in law enforcement, disaster response, shelter leadership, and community service shaped her philosophy of compassionate leadership. In this conversation, we discuss: • Lessons learned from disaster response and emergency animal rescue • Why collaboration matters more than competition • Building a culture of trust and mentorship • Supporting staff in high-stress environments • The importance of listening as a leader • Creating community-centered animal welfare programs Kerri also shares why she believes animal welfare organizations can achieve far more when they set aside ego, work together, and focus on the shared mission of helping animals and people. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.

Top Dog Podcast with Alexis Fine | Why Strong Teams Create Stronger Shelters

Saving animals starts with supporting the people who care for them. In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, we sit down with Alexis Fine, Operations Manager at Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter in Texas. With more than 20 years in animal welfare and 15 years at the same organization, Alexis shares how investing in staff culture, leadership development, and community engagement creates better outcomes for both animals and people. In this conversation, we discuss: • Building a healthy shelter culture • Preventing burnout and compassion fatigue • Developing future leaders in animal welfare • Community engagement during times of crisis • Managing large-scale shelter operations • Why caring for staff improves animal outcomes Alexis also shares lessons from working nearly every position in a shelter and explains why leadership is ultimately about supporting people so they can do their best work for animals. 👉 Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations at https://doobert.com/ Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of animal welfare.